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“America is great because she is good.
If America ceases to be good,
America will cease to be great.” – Alexis De Tocqueville

Have a Celebration! Wave that Flag! Have a SAFE Holiday!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! CELEBRATE FREEDOM & LIBERTY!

Time to BBQ, Party, Celebrate, Watch Fireworks and Have a Real Good Time!

“So, then, to every man his chance – to every man, regardless of his birth, his shining, golden opportunity – to every man the right to live, to work, to be himself, and to become whatever thing his manhood and his vision can combine to make him – this, seeker, is the promise of America.” – Thomas Wolfe

“America! What a country!” – Yakov Smirnoff in “Brewster’s Millions”

LADY LIBERTY in NYC! Let Freedom Ring! Happy Birthday USA!

“Laughter is America’s most important export.” – Walt Disney

USA! USA! USA!

“The bosom of America is open to receive not only the Opulent and respectable Stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all Nations and Religions; whom we shall welcome to a participation of all our rights and privileges, if by decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment.” – George Washington

4th of July Fireworks at the Hollywood Bowl!

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“In America, anyone can become President.
That’s the problem” – George Carlin RIP

Happy Independence Day!

“We should keep steadily before our minds the fact that Americanism is a question of principle, of purpose, of idealism, of character; that it is not a matter of birthplace, or creed, or line of descent.” – Theodore Roosevelt

“Boop-Oop-A-Doop!”

“Go back to bed, America. Your government has figured out how it all transpired. Go back to bed, America. Your government is in control again. Here. Here’s American Gladiators. Watch this, shut up. Go back to bed, America. Here is American Gladiators. Here is 56 channels of it! Watch these pituitary retards bang their f***ing skulls together and congratulate you on living in the land of freedom. Here you go, America! You are free to do what we tell you! You are free to do what we tell you!” – Bill Hicks RIP

May Day is an international public holiday celebrated specifically as “Labour Day” or “International Workers’ Day” around the world.

In 1904 the International Socialist Conference in Amsterdam, the Sixth Conference of the Second International, called on “all Social Democratic Party organisations and trade unions of all countries to demonstrate energetically on the First of May for the legal establishment of the 8-hour day, for the class demands of the proletariat, and for universal peace.” The date was chosen for “International Workers’ Day” to commemorate the Haymarket affair in Chicago on May 4, 1886. May Day has always been a day for demonstrations by various socialist, communist and anarchist groups since the Second International.

May Day is one of the most important holidays in the People’s Republic of China, North Korea, Cuba and Russia. May Day celebrations usually include large parades with displays of military strength.

“We’re fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance.” ~Japanese Proverb

Playing the Lord Mayor’s Fool at the Renaissance Faire!

Well, once again Spring has come early, and so too the spaghetti harvest in southern Europe (Italy, Spain and Switzerland). Thankfully, there is no threat to the harvest from the ravenous spaghetti weevil this year and this season’s spaghetti plants will soon be available for purchase on Amazon. Be sure to try your hand at “Homegrown Pasta!”

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Why is there an April Fools Day? Why is it on April 1st?

No one knows for sure.No, SERIOUSLY, No one knows for sure.
There are several theories:

On the Julian calendar, the one before the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in the 1500s (it was not adopted by England until 1752!), the start of the NEW YEAR was celebrated on April 1st. Something about the French peasants trying to fool friends and family into thinking April 1st was still New Year’s….. and people who still celebrated the old Julian New Year were called April Fools.

Jokes, hoaxes, pranks, practical jokes, sending people on “Fool’s errands” and other light hearted jests are now the order of the day!

Fool’s Guild King of the Fools Coronation Day Parade for Greg the Obscene Juggler in Agoura, California 1985

Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales” (1392) contains the first recorded association between April 1st and acts of foolishness. In medieval times, most of Europe celebrated on March 25, the Feast of Annunciation, but waited until April 1st to celebrate the beginning of the new year. April Fools Day might have something to do with the Vernal Equinox (March 20-21) and the coming of Spring, a time when nature fools man with changing weather…..

April 1st – “RABBIT! RABBIT!”

It might commemorate the fruitless biblical mission of The Rook (a European crow) in the Old Testament, sent out on a failed search for land from Noah’s ark:‘The mistake of Noah sending the dove out of the ark before the water had abated, on the first day of April, and to perpetuate the memory of this deliverance it was thought proper, whoever forgot so remarkable a circumstance, to punish them by sending them upon some sleeveless errand similar to that ineffectual message upon which the bird was sent by the patriarch’ – from the London Public Advertiser March 13, 1769

It might have something to do with Hilaria, the end-of-winter and the end of the Celtic New Year festival celebrated by the Romans. The Hilaria were ancient Roman religious festivals celebrated on the March equinox to honor Cybele, the mother of the G-ds, and to rejoice in the resurrection of Attis, the consort of Cybele. The Romans took this feast from the Greeks and public games, amusements and masquerades were allowed.

The Attis of Ostia

A life size statue of Attis was discovered at the archeological site of ancient Ostia, the principle port and harbor city of Rome, Italy, between the Tiber River and the Tyrrhenian Sea. The statue is a reclining Attis, after the emasculation. In his left hand is a shepherd’s crook, in his right hand is a pomegranate. He wears a pine garland with fruits, bronze rays of the sun, and on his Phrygian cap is a crescent moon. It was discovered in 1867 at the Campus of the Magna Mater together with other statues.

Another explanation of the origins of April Fools’ Day was provided by Joseph Boskin, a professor of history at Boston University. He explained that the practice began during the reign of Constantine, when a group of court jesters and fools told the Roman emperor that they could do a better job of running the empire. Constantine, amused, allowed a jester named Kugel to be king for one day. Kugel passed an edict calling for absurdity on that day, and the custom became an annual event. “In a way,” explained Prof. Boskin, “it was a very serious day. In those times fools were really wise men. It was the role of jesters to put things in perspective with humor.”

This explanation was brought to the public’s attention in an Associated Press article printed by many newspapers in 1983. There was only one catch: Prof. Boskin made the whole thing up. It took a couple of weeks for the AP to realize that they’d been victims of an April Fools’ joke themselves.

David and Bonnie at the Coronation of the King of Fools – Irwindale, CA

April 1st is SAINT STUPID’S DAY

“ALL HAIL ST. STUPID!”

The First Church of the Last Laugh“ALL HAIL ST. STUPID!”

April 1, 2017 – The Parade of Stupid in San Francisco!

As always, since the year 1979AD, the FIRST CHVRCH ofthe LAST LAVGH assembles for its one whole-y day and the ST. STUPID’S DAY PARADE each year at (The POINTY BUILDING UP COLUMBUS this year near) the EMBARCADERO PLAZA at the Foot O’Market @ Steuart in the Financial District of Downtown San Francisco on APRIL 1st at NOON (rain and/or shine). Bring socks for the sock exchange, pennies for “Thank The Bank Penny Toss” at the banker’s heart, dead lottery tickets for the blessing at the Federal Reserve (Support your Federal Reserve! Buy a lottery ticket TODAY!) 2017 is the 39th annual Parade! Visit the TOMB O STUPID, join in on the TIGHTENING OF THE LUG NUTZ and take a LEAP OF FAITH at the statue of the Barebutt Mechanics! Bring noise and music makers (drums, horns, bells, slapsticks, etc.) for the exorcism and a well dressed sense of absurdity. Attendance will be taken.

The Pledge (raise your left hand and cross your fingers):“i pledge allegiance, to the illusion,and to the pyramid scheme, for which it stands.One species, in denial, with error and excess, by all.”

Sign of Stupid! The Church in no way endorses, advocates or condones graffiti, or the making of your own St. Stupid stickers to place randomly all over the Earth, and in particular, inside the Gideon Bibles in motel rooms.

We found two boxes of old liquor from the old home bar in Storage. We dumped most of it but there were some nice unopened bottles of booze! We kept bottles of Bombay Dry Gin, Stolichnaya Vodka and Johnnie Walker Black Scotch Whisky. And we found a bottle of Porto from 1983 which we are looking forward to opening soon. We gifted the Johnnie Walker Black Scotch Whisky and then we opened the bottle and had a taste. Very smooth.

And just in case:
California Poison Control System (CPCS) toll-free EMERGENCY hotline: 1-800-222-1222http://www.calpoison.org

The Fools Guild was born in the late 1970s at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, where the original culprits met while performing as jesters, jugglers, pass-the-hat-acts and mimes.

“The Fools Guild is a disorganization of individuals who identify with the artistic, spiritual or philosophical nature of The Fool. We are an amorphous mass of lively, spontaneous souls who meet throughout the year for unadulterated silliness. We produce three major theme parties a year: Halloween, New Year’s Eve, and the High Feast of April Fools Day. We also get together a lot in between…..We draw inspiration from the archetype of “The Fool”, keeping alive the virtues of playfulness and festivity as a source of creativity and personal fulfillment.” (from the Fools Guild website)

Fountain at the Four Seasons in Westlake Village, CA

MORE JOKERS:

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“Why then the world’s mine oyster, which I with sword will open.”
-Pistol (“The Merry Wives of Windsor” Act 2, scene ii by William Shakespeare)

Worthington’s Company-of-Foote RPFN ’84

This Blog is about the magical Northern Renaissance Pleasure Faire at Black Point Forest, Novato, in Marin County, California, just north of San Francisco, in the early to late 1980’s, produced by The Living History Centre (LHC) and the College of Renaissance Delights).

“Eat, Drynk & Be Merry!” at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire (North)

We have written about the Renaissance Faire before. You can read the previous Blogs “Phyllis Patterson RIP She Changed My Life” and “Return to the Paramount Ranch”, (and see pictures of) the old Southern Faire Site in Agoura.

“Make Ye Way! Make Ye Way!”

In 1582, journeyman monger Eric Bacon left his home in Chipping-under-Oakwood and joined Nicholas Worthington’s Company-of-Foote mercenary soldiers. He went to Flanders to fight the Spanish and on his return to the Shire he faithfully served her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth for two more years (1583-84) as a Royal Guard and Chair Bearer during the Queen’s Progress through the annual Harvest Faire. “G-d Save The Queen!”

Eric Bacon left Worthington’s Company-of-Foote honorably after the 1584 Harvest Faire. He joined The Fool’s Guild, became a follower of St. Stupid, and also “served” as the Lord Mayor’s Fool. For several years he was often seen walking the streets and wandering throughout the Shire after dark looking for trouble. He mysteriously vanished into the Woods of Holly in 1588, never to be seen again.

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In Spring of 1980 we were introduced to the fun of working at the annual Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Southern California by an older high school friend. In late summer of 1981, we began “carpool” commuting each weekend from Los Angeles to Marin County to visit and work at the Northern Renaissance Pleasure Faire at Black Point, Novato in Summer (and still working at the Southern Faire in Spring) as a street actor.

In 1982, we were first hired as an hourly CREW employee by the Costume Department for a promotional fashion show at the Old Globe Theatre in West Hollywood. We worked for the CREW Costume Department and continued to perform as a street actor first with the Mongers, and then with the Company-of-Foote, at the Northern Faire until 1985 when we began working for the Security Department as well as Costumes.

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When we moved to Santa Cruz for college we commuted to both the Northern and Southern Faire (and also the Dickens’ Christmas Fair at the Fox Theatre in Oakland and Pier 45 in San Francisco) and we continued working for Living History Centre Security and Costume Departments until we graduated. We moved to Novato after college and worked the Northern Faire one more season in 1988, before moving back to Los Angeles to pursue a career in Hollywood. We continued to work Security at the Southern Renaissance Faire until 1994. We worked as a Walking Guard, Night Security, a Walking Lieutenant, Mobile Security (during the week on the Northern Lot in 1987), and then as Night Security and as the Front Gate Lieutenant after the Southern Faire moved from the Paramount Ranch in Agoura to Glen Helen Regional Park in Devore (San Bernadino), California in 1990.

The Red Barn & Cardiac Hill – Blackpoint Forest, Novato

Gray Barn Hill

The Parking Lot

Company-of-Foote Morning Muster and Drill at the “Front of Faire”

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The Elizabethan Cottage (Before) at the “Front of Faire”

Pig’s Cot (After)

The Horse Tourney

Living History! Live Interactive Street Theatre! Hundreds of Costumed Performers!
The centerpiece of the the Northern Renaissance Faire was the daily parade, the “Queen’s Progress Through The Shire” to the Ben Johnson Stage for “The Queen Show” at 3pm each afternoon. Beginning at the Red Barn in the “Front of Faire”, Queen Elizabeth and her retainers would be joined by the Town Criers, the ER Band, the Nobles from the Royal Court, the Scots, the Irish, the Germans and the Guild of St. Cuthbert’s. Queen Elizabeth would be carried in “the Tudor Sedan” and guarded by the Company-of-Foote through the dense crowd to the stage. After the stage show, the Queen would continue with the parade to another destination within the Faire and/or return to the Red Barn staging area. On a few rare occasions we carried the Queen all the way through the Fairesite to “The End of The World” Alestand and back.

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Guardshack – Black Point Forest, Novato (Dario took this pic)

This was written for the original fb photo album a few years ago:“RPFN early 80s – I’m not sure how it happened but I blame Pugsly. I’m marching in the parking lot at Blackpoint dressed in blue and carrying a pike wheeling to the left and right. It’s hot. It’s dusty. How did this happen to me at the Faire? So I marched with the company ’82-’84? I was a rear wheel on the Tudor Sedan for the hottest summer in history (actually two years). Rory and I both agreed that there’s no better workout at the Faire than carrying the Queen from the Red Barn to the End of The World and back in 100 degree heat! For my time with the Company-of-Foote, I must admit it was a great time with great people and lots of great fun (from what I can remember). So for those who were there, THANK YOU! For those who came later or missed the party, here are some pics I collected from others. And for those who are no longer with us, you are missed and remembered by your friend and comrades in arms.”– JoshWillTravel

“Murph and the Magictones” The ER Band

“Huzzah! Huzzah! The Queen!”

The Art of Burlap Over “The Serpentine” (from above)

“Long Live The Queen!”

“Well met, Good Gentles! Well met!”

“G-d Save the Queen!”

Ben Johnson Stage from Alestand 3

Alestand 3

Ben Johnson Stage

“The Golden Hind” at the Ben Johnson Stage

THE QUEEN SHOW!
(“Our Shire Welcomes The Queen” on the Ben Johnson Stage at Three O’the Clock!)

Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth

“Parade Rest!” Hurry Up, Then Wait.

Big Shout Out To All The Water Bearers and Support People!

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Many more of our dear Friends from the Renaissance Pleasure Faire have gone on to “Sky-Faire” too soon! We remember them all and there are too many to list here!

The “Neenster” wouldn’t be happy if we did a Blog about Northern Faire and didn’t include this amazing picture. It was taken at Monday Brunch on the lot while we were waiting for steak & eggs (as Reggie and Michael look on).

“Neenster” RIP at Monday Brunch

And here’s a group pic of the Security CREW from “way back” (1985):

Security CREW – Blackpoint Forest, Novato

Black Point is another place that is on the list of “Things That Aren’t There Anymore”, the land was sold and developed, and now there is another fine golf course and private community of multi-million dollar homes on the old Northern Faire Site.

“Hay-Foote, Hay-Foote!”

NOTE: FULL DISCLOSURE!None of the pictures in this Blog post are mine! (Well, okay there are a couple…) They were ripped from the interweb over the years to remind us of the past and now have been used to illustrate our story. Not all of the pics are from the 1983-84 period, again they are used with “artistic license” to visually tell the tale. They are included for educational purposes only and not for commercial gain. BIG THANKS to all the photographers, if you want credit pm me. Also, as a member of the Costume CREW, these pictures are a part of my professional resumé as well as my personal history.

THE YEAR OF THE RED FIRE ROOSTER! 祝贺大家新年好！
(or Chicken, referring to barnyard fowl of either sex)

Roosters have these five virtues:
Literary skills, military prowess, courage, benevolence and trustworthiness

Roosters have these personality traits:
They are observant, hardworking, resourceful, courageous, talented and
trustworthy with a strong sense of timekeeping and responsibility at work

Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy Chinese New Year 2017!

The Spring Festival begins on Saturday, January 28 at midnight.
The first day is for welcoming the deities of the heavens and earth.
It is tradition to light fireworks and firecrackers, burn bamboo sticks
and make as much noise as possible to chase off evil spirits.

FIREWORKS! GUNG HAY FAT CHOY!

NOTE: The lunar year of the Rooster starts on January 28th.The “Start of Spring” is February 3rd according to the Chinese solar calendar.

The first day is also a time to honor family elders and visit the oldest and most senior members of the extended families (parents, grandparents and great-grandparents).

For Buddhists the first day is also the birthday of Maitreya Bodhisattva, the Buddha-to-be. They also abstain from killing animals and meat consumption on the first day.

People walk under a Chinese Lantern display during New Year’s Eve celebration in Chinatown Manila, Philippines February 18, 2015 (REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco)

“May you realize all your ambitions”

According to ancient Chinese superstition, lighting fires and using knives is considered bad luck on New Year’s Day, so all food is usually cooked beforehand. It is also considered bad luck to use a broom during the New Year’s celebration.

FIREWORKS! HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!

Usually the best way to avoid bad luck is to wear red, but because the fire element for 2017 is RED, do not use red in your clothes and accessories! Red colored stones like ruby, garnet and pink topaz should also be avoided. Instead, use colors that complement red and the fire element. Earth colored items (browns or yellows) are most suitable. Purple and lavender colors will also be lucky. Amethyst and topaz will bring luck and success.

Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy Chinese New Year!

NOTE: There are 13 lunar months instead of 12, and 384 days in 2017. To keep the Chinese lunar calendar within half a month of the traditional solar calendar, there’s a leap month (a second lunar month 6 starting July 23rd) in The Year of the Rooster.

The Chinese Zodiac:

The Chinese zodiac is a recurring 12-year cycle. Each year is represented by one of 12 animals. Sorry Roosters, those in their birth-sign year will supposedly have bad luck.

NOTE: You will need to work hard and be patient to achieve your goals this year! Maintain a positive frame of mind. Meditation will help keep you calm and serene.

“May your happiness be without limit”

祝贺大家新年好! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL! 恭喜發財!

The San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival and Parade is the oldest and largest celebration outside of Asia, and the largest Asian cultural event in North America. Over 100 groups participate in the annual Chinese New Year Parade held since 1958. It is attended by ~500,000 people and watched by another 3 million television viewers.

We wish you the Best of Everything in the coming New Year!Good Health, Happiness, Good Fortune and Prosperity for You in 2017!

SATURDAY NIGHT! DECEMBER 31st, 2016 – NEW YEAR’S EVE!

ARE YOU READY FREDDY?

LET’S CELEBRATE! LET’S PARTY!
GET DOWN, GET FUNKY! ROCK AND ROLL!

Happy New Year!

Some Past Memories (and pics) of New Year’s Eve:

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Champagne: a sparkling wine produced from grapes grown in the Champagne region of France following rules that demand secondary fermentation of the wine in the bottle to create carbonation, specific vineyard practices, sourcing of grapes exclusively from Champagne and specific pressing regimes unique to the region. The term Champagne is used as a generic term for sparkling wine, but in many countries it’s illegal to label any wine Champagne unless it comes from the Champagne region and is produced under the special rules of the Champagne winemaking community (under the auspices of the Comité Interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne – CIVC).

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017!

Sunday, January 1st, 2017 – HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Monday, January 2nd, 2017 – New Year’s Day (Observed) Federal Holiday

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses! – Beautiful Pasadena, California

“In New York, people are buried in the snow.
Here our flowers are blooming and our oranges are about to bear.
Let’s hold a festival to tell the world about our paradise.”~Professor Charles F. Holder, 1890

The 128th Annual Tournament of Roses Rose Parade 2017

The parade has never been held on Sunday. Local tradition has it that “the Tournament has a deal with G-d; we’ll never hold the parade on a Sunday, and He’ll never let it rain on the Rose Parade.” According to the Tournament of Roses Association this “Never on Sunday” policy was instituted in 1893 in order “to avoid frightening horses tethered outside local churches and thus interfering with worship services.” The Rose Bowl Game and other bowl games usually held on January 1st are also never held on Sunday to avoid competing with the NFL.

The 128th Tournament of Roses Rose Parade “Echoes of Success”

A US Air Force B-2 “Spirit Flyover” from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri!

And these beautiful restored cars will be used in the 2017 Rose Parade to drive the Grand Marshals, Rose Bowl Hall of Fame Inductees and special guests down Colorado Blvd:

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A BLAST FROM THE PAST!

Valley Hunt Club – Tournament of Roses – January 2nd, 1893.

Members of Pasadena’s Valley Hunt Club first staged the Rose Parade on January 1, 1890. Watched by hundreds of thousands of spectators on the parade route down Colorado Blvd, it is broadcast on multiple television networks in the United States and seen by millions more on television worldwide in more than 100 international territories and countries! It is produced by the nonprofit Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association established in 1895. The Valley Hunt Club still enters a flower-decorated carriage in the parade.

The Italian Renaissance-style mansion of William Wrigley Jr. (of Wrigley’s chewing gum) was offered to the city of Pasadena after Mrs. Wrigley’s death in 1958, under the condition that the home would be the Rose Parade’s permanent headquarters. Tournament House is now the name of the home office where the organization is headquartered.

Miracle-Gro will have 4 former Rose Queens on their float in the 2017 Rose Parade!

The 103rd Rose Bowl! (2pm on ESPN)

The Rose Bowl football game was added in 1902 to help fund the cost of staging the parade. Originally titled the “Tournament East-West football game,” it is considered the first Rose Bowl. The next game wasn’t played until 1916 and they have been played every year since then. The Rose Bowl Stadium was built for the 1923 game.

University of Southern California Trojans

vs. Penn State University Nittany Lions

Rose Bowl – Pasadena, California

UPDATED JANUARY 6, 2017: USC won the game 52-49, in a see-saw battle, with the winning field goal coming at the very end of the fourth quarter!

NOTE (if you’re going to the game):

NOTE: NEW LAWS IN CALIFORNIA!

Even though it’s already illegal to hold a phone and talk or text while driving, Starting January 1, 2017 motorists cannot hold their phone for any reason! Phones must be mounted on the windshield or dashboard and “hands-free” functions (one-touch) will still be allowed as long as conditions are safe for use.

Senate Bill No. 880 & Proposition 63 = Stricter Gun Control Laws in California!The new laws include expansion of the assault weapons ban, background checks for bullet buyers at the point of sale, adds new felony charges for stealing firearms, broadens a ban on large capacity magazines (over ten rounds) and requires all felons to surrender their guns effective January 1, 2017.

California approved Proposition 64 to legalize “recreational” adult use of marijuana!Even though there is still Federal Prohibition and marijuana is classified as a Schedule 1 Drug by the Drug Enforcement Agency, as of November 9, 2016, the State of California made it legal for any adult 21 years or older to:

• Possess, transport, obtain or give away to other adults 21 or older no more than one ounce of marijuana or 8 grams of concentrated cannabis.

• Cultivate up to six plants per residence and possess the marijuana produced by these plants. All plants and harvest in excess of one ounce must be kept in a locked space not in public view at one’s residence. Local governments may still forbid cultivation outdoors, but must allow it inside a private residence or accessory structure that is “fully enclosed and secure.”

• Medical marijuana patients keep their existing rights under Prop 215 to possess and cultivate as much as they need for personal medical use so long as they have a doctor’s recommendation, regardless of the Prop 64 limits for adult users. Beware though that local governments may still restrict cultivation via nuisance ordinances (except for the six indoor plant minimum allowed for personal use).

• Retail sales for adult use will not begin until licensed stores are in operation after Jan 1, 2018. In the meantime, Prop 215 patients with a doctor’s recommendation can continue to purchase at medical collectives and dispensaries.

• Tax Tip for 215 Patients: Patients who have a state medical marijuana ID card will be exempt from the state sales tax immediately, according to the State Board of Equalization. If you spend more than $100 per month on medicine, it should pay you to get a state ID card. State ID cards are available from county health departments; under Prop 64 the card fees are capped at $100 ($50 for Medi-Cal patients).

Prior offenders: If you have been convicted for a marijuana felony or other offense that has been downgraded by Prop 64, you may petition the court to have your record changed to what it would be if Prop 64 had been in effect!

Q: Where’s the Best Place to see Fourth of July Fireworks in Los Angeles?

A: Here’s my short list of Independence Day events for 2015:

Grand Park BLOCK PARTY! July 4, 2015 >>> 3:00 pm – 9:30 pm

200 North Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles, CA 90012

FREE! www.grandparkla.org #GO4THDTLA

FIREWORKS!

From the Grand Park website:

LOS ANGELES!Grand Park is the place to celebrate together with music, food, and an incredible fireworks display launched from the civic center skyline. Grab the best friends, the whole family, and main squeezes and enjoy a bit of togetherness under the beautiful Angeleno sky. **Safety for everyone is número uno. Please read all event info to know what to bring and what to leave at home:**

PICNIC and OUTSIDE FOOD is welcome. SIZE OF BAGS AND BACKPACKS/TOTES and COOLERS must be standard backpack size or smaller (16.75 inches x 13 inches x 8.5 inches). NO OUTSIDE BEVERAGES including juice and soda. ONLY EMPTY (non glass) WATER BOTTLES allowed. FREE WATER FILLING STATIONS will be available in the event space, provided by LADWP, in addition to several booths with water for sale. HANDHELD UMBRELLAS allowed, no tents, large umbrellas or anything that spikes into the ground

NOTE:This will be an alcohol-free event: no beer garden or point of purchase / no outside alcohol permitted in event space. All bags will be checked.

SCHEDULE:Doors open at 3pm for early birds (no prior admittance). Rooftop fireworks show at 9pm. Event ends at 9:30pm.

The Rose Bowl Stadium and outside the Rose Bowl – Pay to see the 89th Annual “Americafest” show inside, pay for parking to see the fireworks show from the outside. It’s the biggest and longest running 4th of July party in the L.A. area.

Join in celebrating our nation’s independence with the 89th Annual Fourth of July Celebration at AMERICAFEST! The largest fireworks show in Southern California!

FIREWORKS!

2 PM: Festival begins outside the stadium (parking lots open at 9am)

There will be food vendors, entertainment, crafts, exhibits and inflatable rides for the kids outside the stadium starting at 2 pm and closing following the fireworks. Fanfest is located in Area H southeast of the Rose Bowl marquee sign.

Live Motorcycle Stunts by TNT Action Sports

Celebrating, “The 50th Anniversary of when Elvis Met the Beatles in Los Angeles”

9 PM: Fireworks Spectacular! produced by Pyrospectaculars by Souza

In celebration of the upcoming Universal Pictures “Minions” movie there will be a viewing of “Despicable Me 2” on the videoboard directly following the fireworks.

General Admission $13 Reserved Seating $25 TicketMaster 800-745-3000

General Admission children 5 years and under will be admitted free. Reserved Seating children 2 years and under require a ticket in these sections.

Day of event tickets will be available 10am– 9pm at the ticket booth at Gate B. Before 2pm guests may park in Lot B at no charge for 15 minutes to purchase tickets and leave or they can pay to park in any general parking lot and remain. After 2pm guests will be required to pay to park in general parking as directed to purchase tickets. After 2pm there are no in-and-out privileges.

Active military who present a valid Military ID will gain free admittance (up to 4 per family). Tickets can be obtained from the ticket booth at Gate B beginning at 3pm on July 4th only. Veterans who present a valid Military ID will gain free admittance (1 ticket only). Tickets can be obtained from the ticket booth at Gate B beginning at 3pm on July 4th only.

Parking is $25 per car payable at the parking lots. Advanced parking for $20 per car will be available at the Rose Bowl Will Call Booth by Gate B beginning Sunday, June 28; hours-10am to 5pm; everyday through July 3.

Parking lots will open to the general public starting at 9am on July 4. Guests will be directed to the closest available lot.

For your safety and the enjoyment of all, we ask that you please help by observing the tailgating guidelines. (READ THE RULES!)

Pasadena Police and Pasadena Fire Departments will be patrolling the lots. There is a zero tolerance policy regarding illegal fireworks.

Smokey Robinson, the King of Motown will be headlining the three-day Independence Day celebration with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and a Fireworks Spectacular each night at the Hollywood landmark. July 2-4th, 7:30pm $15-$250 + fee

Celebrate the 4th of July in Marina del Rey with a spectacular fireworks show over the water! Fireworks are shot from a barge across the Marina’s main channel, lighting up the night sky and water below. The show begins at 9 pm and lasts approximately 20 minutes.

FIREWORKS!

Depending upon weather and cloud cover on the night of the show, the fireworks can usually be seen throughout the marina, and from the waterfront side of most hotels, restaurants, beaches, apartments and anchorages. Popular viewing locations include:

Fisherman’s Village, 13755 Fiji Way (2 blocks west of Lincoln Blvd.)Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way (1 block west of Admiralty Way)**This location will have speakers set-up near the Helmsman statue, allowing spectators to watch the display and listen to synchronized music Marina Beach (Mother’s Beach) 4101 Admiralty Way (1 block south of Washington Blvd.)

ParkingCome early! There is no on-street parking inside Marina del Rey. Parking is available in 14 self-pay public lots. Park early because most public parking spaces are filled by 6pm!

The Marina del Rey Visitors Center (at the corner of Mindanao & Admiralty) will also be open from 10am – 4pm with festive giveaways like complimentary flags , red & blue bead necklaces, and other items to celebrate the 4th!

There are many good options for the 4th of July in L.A., and there are many other smaller celebrations, both public and private events, happening all over Southern California. Check the local listings! LA Weekly, LAist, LA Times & google.

The Queen Mary and Disneyland have special events and extra-special fireworks for the holiday. Disneyland has special fireworks all week long!

Disneyland Fireworks!

The Dodgers are playing the Mets at Dodger Stadium at 4:15pm with Fireworks after the game, but we are BOYCOTTING the Dodgers until we can watch the games on television.

Saturday June 27 at 5pm –Corsair Stadium​ at Santa Monica Community College

SMC’s Independence Day Celebration, the biggest, most sensational patriotic community event on the Westside! Bring your family and friends to SMC for a star-spangled salute to our nation’s independence. Come early, picnic on the lawn, enjoy continuous entertainment and special exhibits (with plenty of refreshments available for purchase), and cap off the evening with a spectacular fireworks salute to America.

Celebrate America – June 27th, 2015 at Corsair Field at Santa Monica Community College

NOTE: This Blog was originally written and constructed 12 JUNE 2014. This is the first time it’s been published. Enjoy!

I actually found this vintage Disneyland Vacationland magazine from 1977 before I found the “Sleeping Beauty” poster (see a previous blog) and have been posting pages on my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/joshwilltravel and sharing them with the Vintage Disneyland group. It was in MINT CONDITION and I was hesitant to even scan it for fear of damage.

In addition to the cover story on the Grand Opening of Space Mountain, the contents include articles on the Main Street Electrical Parade, the Golden Horseshoe Revue, “The Rescuers” and the Disneyland Costume Division. There are also vintage promotions for the Gerber Baby Center and Orville Reddenbacher Popcorn (both new additions in 1977) and cool retro ads for Disneyland, Wonder Bread/Hostess, GAF/Kodak and even other theme parks: Knotts, Magic Mountain, Lion Country Safari and Universal Studios.

LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR, TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE WRITER/BLOGGER

"Your Travel is Our Business!"
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